Sheriff department hosting academy

The Liberty County Sheriff’s Department will hold its second citizen’s academy at 6 p.m. Wednesday.The 10-week academy will meet once a week from 6-8 p.m. and is free and open to county residents ages 21 and older.Participants will learn how officers patrol and make traffic stops, tour the jail, see how officers work crime scenes and learn about the 911 call center, court procedures and the use of deadly force. There will be a combination of lectures and ride-alongs with deputies.Class space is limited, and applications must be submitted in advance. The application process includes consenting to a background check; certain criminal offenses could preclude an individual.Most classes will be at the LCSO training center in the Liberty County Jail, 180 Paul Sikes Drive in Hinesville. Applications for enrollment may be picked up at the sheriff’s office, 201 S. Main St., or at the jail.LCSO Deputy Capt. David Edwards said the first citizen’s academy, held last September, was a huge success.“It was a positive experience for everyone involved,” he said. “The citizens of the county learned the different functions and departments within the sheriff’s office, and we got to explain all the different tasks our deputies do throughout their day. I am looking forward to meeting the next group of participants.”LCSO Sheriff Steve Sikes said many of the citizens who participated in last year’s training provided feedback, which they took into consideration for the upcoming training sessions.“Based on the feedback, we are going to be a little more hands-on with this group,” Sikes said. “We are working on the details to have them shadow a deputy vehicle or allow them to ride along. The last group said they learned a lot, and we just want to make it a bit more interesting for this next group.”Sikes said the previous participants periodically check in with the department, providing useful information and have been helpful in policing their community.“They now understand what we do and how we do it, so they know the importance of being an involved citizen when it comes to keeping their neighborhoods safe,” he said.For more information, go to www.libertyso.com.